If you’ve decided to take your skin rejuvenation to the next level with a chemical peel, you might be wondering what you should expect during your first treatment. At Satin Med Spa, we offer a range of peels designed to address some of your most common skin concerns. Here is our general overview of everything you need to know about your first treatment.
What Should I Expect During My First Chemical Peel?
At our professional office, we help you achieve optimal results with an evaluation and treatment process. While every patient’s experience is unique, you can expect that your chemical peel treatment follows these basic steps.
Consultation
Before we recommend any patient for treatment, we invite you to sit down with our doctor to determine whether treatment with a peel is right for you.
During this appointment, our doctor will examine your skin, discuss your areas of concern, and review your medical history to check for any issues that may interact negatively with treatment. Based on this evaluation, they will recommend a chemical peel that can correct your skin concerns.
Preparation
In order to effectively prepare for this treatment, it’s important to keep your skin free from irritation or infection prior to your appointment. Starting a week before your appointment, we recommend that you avoid any harsh exfoliants, resurfacing treatments, laser treatments, or other treatments that could cause inflammation in the skin. You may also be asked to avoid certain skincare products like retinol before your appointment.
Another important step in preparing for this treatment is to avoid sun exposure as much as possible. We recommend wearing SPF 30+ sunscreen when outdoors and avoiding prolonged direct sunlight to prevent sunburn. In addition, you should not tan or use tanning beds before your first treatment. Our doctor may also ask that you avoid self-tanning products beginning 2 weeks before your appointment.
Finally, we recommend that you schedule any hair removal sessions at least two weeks before a chemical peel appointment. This includes waxing, plucking, threading, and laser hair removal sessions. If you use a razor to shave your face or brow area, you should do so three to four days before your appointment. Due to the resurfacing nature of this treatment, we recommend that you avoid scheduling it directly before any major social events or gatherings.
Treatment
On the day of your appointment, you should clean your face as normal and avoid applying makeup or skincare products. Once you arrive, one of our experienced staff members will cleanse your skin and examine it for any signs of inflammation. They will then apply one of our top-quality chemical peels, which is allowed to sit for 15-30 minutes as it resurfaces and rejuvenates your skin.
While the peel sits on the skin, most patients report that they feel a slight tingling sensation. However, the treatment process is considered pain-free and can be easily scheduled during a lunch break. After the peel is removed, our staff member will give you instructions to follow during your recovery period. You will then be free to return to your normal daily schedule and activities with zero downtime, offering ultimate flexibility and convenience in one easy treatment.
Recovery
The primary goal of this treatment is to refresh the skin. Depending on the strength of the peel applied to your skin, your recovery period may last several weeks to several months. As your skin heals, you will need to stay out of the sun to avoid irritation and damage to the treated skin as it begins to regenerate and form fresh layers.
Several days after treatment, you may notice your skin beginning to peel. This is a normal side effect of this treatment and is a sign that the peel has worked its magic. You should not touch, rub, or pick the skin as it peels. Our doctor will provide you with products and instructions to aid in the healing process. Once old layers of the skin have peeled away, you can begin caring for your fresh new skin with gentle products designed to enhance your final results.
Results
As your skin heals, you should notice that your areas of concern are significantly improved. This often includes a smoother, brighter texture, faded scars, reduced discoloration, and improved acne. Some peels can even diminish signs of aging like lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. Depending on your concerns, you may choose to combine this treatment with other skin rejuvenating options to enhance your results.
After two to six months, the results of your chemical peels will begin to fade. You may notice some of your concerns returning as the skin’s normal regeneration cycle continues. You can choose to pursue additional peel treatments as desired. Most patients seeking to maintain vibrant skin opt to have two to five peel treatments per year.
What Else Should I Know About This Treatment?
Here are a few frequently asked questions about chemical peel treatments.
What Are the Benefits of Treatment?
The beauty world is full of treatments designed to help you reveal younger, smoother skin, so why should you choose a peel? There are many benefits that come along with this treatment, but one of the most attractive is its ability to reveal fresh, youthful skin in a matter of days. This can help you address skin and aging concerns without frequent appointments or expensive topical products.
With typical appointments lasting half an hour or less, this treatment is easy to fit into even the busiest schedule. Peels are considered safe and effective for almost every skin tone and type. In addition, they are able to address a range of common skin concerns in one treatment. Patients of every age can benefit from the various peels we offer, making this treatment an excellent option for everyone.
Which Areas Can Be Treated?
While the face is the most commonly treated area, peels can be applied to various parts of the body. Our doctor can examine your areas of concern and determine whether you are a candidate for a peel treatment during your consultation. Some of the areas we can treat include the arms, torso, and chest.
Which Skin Concerns Can Be Addressed?
Due to the powerful resurfacing properties of our peels, we are able to treat a number of common skin concerns.
Fine Lines and Wrinkles
These hallmark signs of aging can begin developing in the skin in the early to mid-20s. While they are primarily caused by the breakdown of collagen in the skin, these concerns can be improved by resurfacing the skin. Peels are typically successful in fading mild to moderate lines and wrinkles. Additionally, the healing process can help temporarily tighten the skin, resulting in a mini-facelift effect.
Acne
While acne is most commonly experienced during the teenage years, it can continue well into the 30s. For patients struggling to control and heal their acne breakouts, peels offer a valuable rejuvenating property that can clear the skin over time. Most types of acne can be improved with peel appointments. Our doctor and team can recommend the best peel ingredients for your acne concerns.
Rosacea
This redness in the skin can flare up routinely over time. It is often connected to acne and may be exacerbated by colder temperatures. With a chemical peel, we can help control symptoms of rosacea and reduce redness to achieve a more even skin tone.
Uneven Tone and Texture
There are a variety of causes behind uneven skin tones and textures, but these are some of the most common concerns cited by clients seeking resurfacing treatments. A peel can reveal fresh skin, help create a more even skin tone by correcting discoloration and hyperpigmentation, and smooth uneven texture.
Sun Damage
According to some estimates, the sun is responsible for over 90% of all skin-related concerns, including some accelerated signs of aging, discoloration, sunburn, and skin cancer. While good skin protection is the best way to avoid sun damage, it’s also possible to correct it with a peel. If your skin exhibits signs of sun damage, our doctor can recommend a peel to rejuvenate your skin.
Scarring
Most scars will fade progressively over several years. However, this does not mean that they will become less noticeable. Many patients are seeking a treatment that can reduce or eliminate scars, which may include marks from former acne breakouts or injuries. A peel can help accelerate scar healing and may help diminish the appearance of scars over time.
What Ingredients Are Used In a Peel?
We use various combinations of peel ingredients to help reveal smoother, softer, and more beautiful skin. Depending on your specific goals for treatment, our doctor will suggest a peel with strategic chemical ingredients to target your skin concerns.
TCA
TCA, or trichloroacetic acid, is a chemical exfoliant that can help promote fresh collagen production in conjunction with the peeling action. It can be an excellent option for patients who wish to treat signs of aging in their skin.
Retinoic Acid
Retinoic acid and Vitamin A are connected to collagen and elastin, which can help turn back the hands of time in your skin and address various signs of aging. A peel treatment offers a more intensive resurfacing process and more effective results than a topical retinol product, giving patients a viable anti-aging option that can offer long-term rejuvenation.
Salicylic Acid
This acid is most commonly found in acne products and medications. Its main purpose is clearing the pores of debris like dead skin cells, dirt, and oil. This can help control breakouts and improve skin tone and texture.
L-Ascorbic
This version of Vitamin C flushes the skin with nutrients and various benefits as it resurfaces. It can help correct sun damage, triggers collagen growth, evens the skin tone, and promotes vibrant, healthy skin.
Glycolic Acid
This acid helps resurface the skin by removing dead skin cells and tightening the outer layer. This process can help fade fine lines and wrinkles and results in a smoother, firmer skin surface once the skin heals.
Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is a proven way to reduce hyperpigmentation, promote collagen production, and keep the skin evenly moisturized. A peel with this ingredient can help regulate your skin’s regeneration cycle and keep discoloration and signs of aging at bay.
Am I an Ideal Candidate?
If you are an adult man or woman seeking to address skin concerns with a resurfacing treatment, we may have a peel that’s right for you! A good candidate is free from any skin conditions that may interact negatively with treatment. If you’re unsure whether you’re an ideal candidate for treatment, our doctor can help you evaluate your concerns during your initial consultation.
Contact Us to Learn More!
If you’re ready to learn more about this treatment, contact our team of professionals at Satin Med Spa, to schedule an initial consultation today! We look forward to serving you soon!
